Recent layoffs in the workforce

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The growing number of job cuts this year follows 13 months of mass firings across the nation that have led about 2.4 million people to file for unemployment claims since the recession started in December 2007 through the end of last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor...

The growing number of job cuts this year follows 13 months of mass firings across the nation that have led about 2.4 million people to file for unemployment claims since the recession started in December 2007 through the end of last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor...

General Motors Corp. Announced: April 27 Number of layoffs: 21,000 jobs Reason for the cuts: In a zero-hour bid to stay out of bankruptcy, GM said today it would fold the Pontiac brand, cut 42% of its U.S. dealers and 28% of its plants by the end of 2010, and offer holders of $27 billion in...

General Motors Corp. Announced: April 27 Number of layoffs: 21,000 jobs Reason for the cuts: In a zero-hour bid to stay out of bankruptcy, GM said today it would fold the Pontiac brand, cut 42% of its U.S. dealers and 28% of its plants by the end of 2010, and offer holders of $27 billion in... (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

IBM Corp. Announced: March 25 Number of layoffs: 5,000 jobs Reason for the cuts: The move reflects IBM's aggressiveness in shifting labor to lower-cost regions like India and keeping its profits aloft at a time when other technology companies' earnings are tumbling.

IBM Corp. Announced: March 25 Number of layoffs: 5,000 jobs Reason for the cuts: The move reflects IBM's aggressiveness in shifting labor to lower-cost regions like India and keeping its profits aloft at a time when other technology companies' earnings are tumbling. (Jin Lee / Bloomberg News)

National Semiconductor Corp. Announced: March 11 Number of layoffs: 1,725 jobs Reason for the cuts: Faced with a steep decline in sales, the chip maker said it will eliminate more than one-quarter of its work force.

National Semiconductor Corp. Announced: March 11 Number of layoffs: 1,725 jobs Reason for the cuts: Faced with a steep decline in sales, the chip maker said it will eliminate more than one-quarter of its work force. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Los Angeles Unified School District Announced: March 10 Number of layoffs: 8,800 jobs Reason for the cuts: The district, with 688,000 students, faces a $718 million budget shortfall.

Los Angeles Unified School District Announced: March 10 Number of layoffs: 8,800 jobs Reason for the cuts: The district, with 688,000 students, faces a $718 million budget shortfall. (Barbara Davidson / Associated Press)